Sakhya Bhav (सख्य भाव)
Sakhya Bhav is loving Shri Krishna as a friend, with the closeness, trust, and informality of Divine friendship.
Sakhya Bhav (सख्य भाव | sakhya bhāva) is the devotional sentiment in which the devotee relates to Shri Krishna as a friend.
In Sakhya Bhav, the devotee and Shri Krishna relate as equals, and formality becomes negligible. The devotee enjoys the closeness and freedom of friendship with Him. Loyalty, seva, trust, and informality are the main qualities of Sakhya Bhav.
Shri Krishna's friends may experience this relationship in two ways. Arjun and Uddhav love Him as their friend while remaining aware of His Divine majesty. The cowherd boys of Braj, however, love Him without awareness of His majesty.
The friendship of the Braj cowherd boys therefore has extraordinary informality. They call Shri Krishna Kanua, become annoyed with Him, play games with Him, and even climb onto His shoulders when He loses. Their friendship is so natural that they do not think of Him as Almighty God.
Go Deeper
JKP Literature
What becomes possible when a devotee stops relating to Shri Krishna primarily as Almighty God?
JKP Literature
Where does Sakhya Bhav fit among the five devotional relationships?
JKP Literature
How freely can Shri Krishna behave with devotees who love Him as a friend?
